Wilcox Award

CMS Nurse Kelly Smith wins the 2024 John Wilcox Award

Congratulations to Mrs. Kelly Smith, our 2024 John Wilcox Award Winner! Since 2002, Mrs. Smith has been a dedicated nurse at Canandaigua Academy and Canandaigua Middle School. She has supported our students, families, and staff with their medical needs, including providing support and care for our most medically fragile students.

Mrs. Smith is all in for kids- willing to be the nurse on overnight field trips, helping clear thousands of athletes, supporting the district through the pandemic, helping all who stop in the health office, and much, much more. Mrs. Smith treats our students with compassion, respect, and with her signature sense of humor. She has deep pride in our school.

The Wilcox Award is named in honor of longtime Canandaigua Academy Principal Mr. John Wilcox and is the highest honor given to a staff member at the Canandaigua City School District. Mrs. Smith exemplifies the high principles set forth by her high school principal, Mr. John Wilcox. The art work was designed by Cora Roller, Class of 2024!

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The John Wilcox Award

The John Wilcox Award is the Canandaigua City School District’s highest award given to academic and support staff. John Wilcox served as the Canandaigua Academy Principal from 1967-1986. His leadership was exemplified by his high principles and his own personal code of conduct. Mr. Wilcox believed:

In putting students first, in honoring them for who they are and celebrating their victories.
To ensure student success, staff and family must show students they care – through love, support and involvement in the student’s life.
Every student, when given the chance, could be successful.
All students need and want structure, rules and discipline in their lives.
In hard work and commitment, doing whatever it took to get the job done and more.
In the Canandaigua City School District’s Character Education principles in all that he did both professionally and personally.
In the Canandaigua School System, the community of Canandaigua and all who live and work here.

To honor the memory of Mr. Wilcox, who passed away on December 3, 2008, the Canandaigua City School District established the John Wilcox Award. This award is given at Commencement to a Canandaigua City School District staff member whose professional principles mirror those of John Wilcox.

Previous Winners

2010- Rick Gollaher, Bus Driver
2011- Brian Dermody, Academy Science Teacher
2012- Arlene DeVinney, Academy Administrative Aide
2013- Deborah Wilbur, Academy Special Education Teacher
2014- John Milchalko, Middle School Enrichment Teacher
2015- Trish Kelley, Academy Players' House Manager
2016- John LaFave, Director of Student Support Services
2017- Annette Annesi, Elementary Teacher
2018- Greg Kane, Music Curriculum Area Lead Teacher
2019- Amy Principato, School Psychologist
2020- Brian Amesbury, Elementary Principal
2021- Mandy Dedrick- Gerstner, School Pyschologist
2022 - Josh Mull - Art Teacher
2023 - Mary Ann Pavone - Kindergarten Teacher
2024 - Kelly Smith, Middle School Nurse